AN MP has slammed a Midland police force’s plans to bring in security firms to guard crime scenes.

West Midlands Police is one of two forces asking security firms to bid for contracts, worth £1.5 billion over 10 years, to run some services that are currently carried out by officers.

But Labour party politician Jack Dromey, said the scheme was wrong and that his constituents in Erdington, Birmingham, wanted to see more bobbies on the beat, rather than contractors.

He added: “I have been talking to my constituents today and they are against the idea. Privatisation of senior police functions is wrong. People want to see more officers on the street, not contractors.

"The responsibility lies with Theresa May imposing a 20 per cent cut to our police forces.”

Successful firms would have a wide range of responsibilities, including detaining suspects and responding to incidents, but would not be able to arrest suspects.

They would also collect CCTV as well as guard crime scenes.

Chief Supt Phil Kay, who is overseeing the project, said: “This is about how we deal with the challenging conditions that we face and how we look to innovative ways to try and continue improving on delivering the service that we provide to communities.

"We want to explore how working with people in the private sector might be able to give us a new dimension and help us transform our service.”

“Both Chief Constables remain accountable for the services provided. This is about maintaining the office of constable and being clear that some things have to be done by people with warranted powers. Our mission remains to serve and protect the community.

“We also want to see what areas of business there are where we can work with partners in the private sector to deliver in a way that is more cost effective, efficient and helps to improve the service.”

Surrey Police Force is also exploring the idea.

The move will spark fears about privatisation within the police force. Ben Priestley, Unison’s national officer for police and justice, said: “Bringing the private sector into policing is a dangerous experiment with local safety and taxpayers’ money

“We are urging police authorities not to fall into the trap of thinking the private sector is the answer to the coalition’s cuts. The fact that the Home Office is refusing to publish its business case - even under FOI (Freedom of Information Act) - speaks for itself.”